How did Atlantis sink?

A:

Quick Answer

According to the Greek philosopher Plato, Atlantis sank into the Atlantic ocean after the gods sent fire and earthquakes to the island. The gods were angry at the people of Atlantis for becoming greedy and pursuing immoral things.

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Plato told the story of Atlantis around 360 B.C. and claimed that Atlantis fell 9,000 years before. Most scholars believe that Atlantis was a fictional creation of Plato's to illustrate his philosophical beliefs.

Others believe the story is rooted in fact and refers to an advanced society of Minoans that lived on the island of Santorini 3,600 years ago. Santorini is located in the Aegean sea near Greece. The Minoans disappeared after the island was severely damaged by volcanic eruptions.